Rules for the Department of Young Ladies (Shōgaku Joreishiki zukai) c. late 19th century

Editor: Here we have Adachi Ginkō's woodblock print, "Rules for the Department of Young Ladies." It's fascinating how this interior scene feels so staged and deliberate. What story do you think Ginkō is trying to tell us? Curator: It does feel quite constructed, doesn’t it? I see this as a snapshot—or rather, a carefully posed portrait—of Meiji-era expectations. The young women seem to be in a classroom, learning etiquette. And the text hanging above? Perhaps a list of virtues they must embody. It’s interesting how the artist chose to frame them. What do you notice? Editor: I notice the bright colors and flat space. It almost feels like a stage set. Curator: Precisely! And doesn’t that heighten the sense of performance? They're not just living; they're acting out a role. Editor: I see it now! So much is communicated through the composition. Curator: Indeed. A reminder that art can be so much more than meets the eye.